California is the national and global leader in technology, innovation and a growing Internet economy. We rank first in the amount of venture capital invested in research and development, an investment that translates into jobs — 43,000 in Silicon Valley last year.

The effect of California innovation is all around us, most visibly in how we communicate. The jobs created, the functionality of our “apps,” the valuation of California-based companies such as Apple, Google and many others, are strong evidence that the current regulatory approach to the Internet has been good for California. That approach has not been by accident.

Since the birth of the Internet, the federal government has asserted overall responsibility and maintained a bipartisan policy of limited regulation to foster a free and open Internet here and worldwide. In furthering this policy, the Federal Communications Commission, through a series of decisions, has pre-empted states from regulating Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and IP-enabled services to promote a competitive market and avoid a 50-state patchwork of conflicting regulations.

It is crucial to maintain this uniform national policy governing the Internet and ensure that California does not become the first state to regulate these innovative new services, which benefit consumers and our economy.

However, recent comments by members of the California Public Utilities Commission indicate that they may consider regulation of services accessible with a broadband connection. Seeking to expand the CPUC’s jurisdiction from traditional telephone service to Internet-based services such as VoIP that integrate voice, video and data services is a step toward regulating the Internet and will create regulatory uncertainty.

That’s why I introduced SB 1161, which would prohibit the CPUC from asserting regulatory jurisdiction or control over VoIP or IP-enabled service providers unless directed by the FCC or by the California Legislature. My bill preserves the current policy of limited regulation. This policy provides the regulatory certainty needed for continued investment and innovation. The bill passed the Senate on Wednesday and will next be heard in the Assembly.

Senate Bill 1161 does not affect traditional landline voice service. My bill preserves all existing consumer protections for those who choose to use land lines, along with the Carrier of Last Resort Obligation on service providers to deliver basic service and Lifeline service.

For consumers who choose to subscribe to voice service through a broadband connection, such as VoIP, my bill preserves all the federal and state consumer protections that apply to these services, including access to 911 emergency services, backup power requirements, outage reporting, phone number portability, services for individuals with disabilities and privacy and data security.

Senate Bill 1161 places in state law the very policy that has fostered ever-expanding availability of Internet-based services and broadband infrastructure that is transforming virtually every aspect of our lives.

No state has benefited more from the Internet economy than California. As we work to emerge from an era of double-digit unemployment and sluggish economic growth, the technology sector continues to light the way. Senate Bill 1161 will send the right signals and help foster continued investment and job creation for decades to come.

Sen. Alex Padilla represents the 20th district of California, which includes most of the San Fernando Valley. He wrote this for this newspaper.